The Minnesota Humanities Center is committed to helping people tell their story through video interviews. Watch Minnesota tribal community members speak about American Indian treaties, their history, and how they still affect people's lives today.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

The definition of reconciling is - to restore friendly relations between or to reestablish a close relationship between. Do you agree that there was never "conciling" between American Indians and the U.S. government in the first place?

What have people of your ethnic heritage given or contributed to the state of Minnesota? Was it given willingly and freely or was it stolen or taken away from them?

Do you think all of the Dakota and Ojibwe people living in the state at the time agreed with the terms and conditions of the treaties? Do you think that all of them received the same compensations? Was it fair compensation?

How does this information challenge the way you think about American Indian treaties?

What is history? Try looking up a definition. How is it different from "the past"?

How do these videos change the way you think about Reservations? Why is it important to realize that the land was not "given" to American Indians?

What parts of your own ancestry do you hold on to? Why are they important to you?

This project is also funded in part by The Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation.